Does dedicated graphics really matter ?

So, I need a new laptop, one of the requirements I have is for a dedicated graphics card with its own RAM..
I don't play games but my theory is that if the GPU has its own memory its not going to rob the main system RAM all the time when it needs to do something.. Initially I'll be looking at running Vista, maybe defaulting back to XP if I don't like it. The machine will also probably have a sql server and visual studio running on it, which do take alot of resources.

I was looking at a Dell 1520, but they stopped doing it with dedicated graphics, now they have released the 1525 which also has integrated graphics.

Do I really need dedicated graphics ? my last laptop had it and always seemed to be just a bit quicker than others that I used with similar specs. I can only presume with Vista a dedicated card will help loads with performance.

Any suggestions on what to look at ? Rough specs are 2.0Ghz processor, 2Gb RAM, dedicated graphics on a 15.4" screen..

 

If your not gaming then you do not need dedicated graphics. The integrated graphics will be more than enough for your needs. Plus it will produce less heat than a dedicated graphics card and will save you more battery time.

Get the Inpsirion 1525 as its lighter and slimmer than the 1520 and the 1520 is one of the thickest, and hevist 15.4 laptops ive seen so the 1525 is a must.

 

If you have absolutely no intention of gaming or running any intensive 3D apps, or playing back hi-def content - then the integrated graphics will suit you fine.

Yes they will utilise some system ram, but only a small percentage, especially as the reduced cost of integrated graphics means you can afford to spend more on ram.

However, if you think you may want better graphics performance, the Vostro 1500 range still have the option of the 8400/8600 discrete graphics cards. These are

 

You can Reduce the Integrated Cards RAM usage or even Disable it from BIOS settings...so go for Integrated..integrated is more than enough for casual gaming such as Half-life mods & half-life 2 mods

 

Dedicated graphics would only be needed if you play games and watch HD movies and stuff like that. Windows Vista Aero won't hog that much memory. Get yourself 2 GB of RAM with the Intel X3100 and you'll be fine, trust me.

 

wow your specs are too funny

Two 3.0GHz Quad-Core Intel Xeon (8 cores)
32GB of 667MHz DDR2 ECC RAM
25 TB TOTAL Hard Drive Space
4 x NVIDIA Quadro FX 4500 512MB (2 GB GDDR3)

 

LOL! "(8 cores)"

 

One of the Apple workstation has that. I don't know if that thing in his sig is the Apple.
http://store.apple.com/1-800-MY-APP...co=7B72365D&node=home/shop_mac/family/mac_pro

 

Back on topic please.

 

if you do light gaming. intergrated is much more convenient. DONT expect to run games of today even at low. dedicated is required. ALSO DONT get the x3100 intel. go for nvidia 7150m or ati x1270 intel intergrated graphics just suck.

 

If you don't plan to play games, integrated graphics will do just fine - especially with more than 1 GB of RAM, which you already said you plan to get. Any integrated card, including Intel should do fine - from what I've read, the Intel and ATI ones actually do better than the integrated nVIDIA at Aero.

The Mac Pro could meet everything except the 25 TB total hard drive space. You'd need a whole bunch of external drives for that. Had to laugh at the Core 3 Octo Insane avatar, though. :laugh:

 

lmao sorry off topic (one last time) but yeah I love my sig too

Thanks guys for the great comment!

 

I love your avatar too (topic can be closed )

 

My suggestion, is find a configuration of hardware that you like, see how much it costs, is it in your budget, is it below your budget, then see if you can find another brand that costs the same but has a dedicated graphics card. That's how I bought my vostro. I knew I wanted a core 2 duo, I didn't care for alot of ram because it's super cheap to upgrade, I wanted a 160 gig hdd, then I found an hp with those specs and it was about 800, then I looked a bit further and found a dell that had all that, plus a good dedicated graphics card, and it was only 45 bucks more... no brainer for me.